Museum crush : Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek, Copenhagen

It has occurred during my very first trip to Venice, when I discovered by chance the Museo d’Arte Orientale, hidden at the last floor of the Galleria Internazionale d’Arte Moderna Ca’Pesaro. The discovery was made just 30 minutes before the closing time, but it was enough for falling in love with Japanese lacquerware. That encounter has led to my studies of the history of art and of the Japanese lacquerware in particular.

My experience with Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek was somewhat similar. I had only 45 minutes before going back to airport to catch my flight to Japan, and I decided to check it out on a whim. I wish I could have come earlier! When I stepped into its Winter Garden under the impressive domed roof, the wind and cold outside was forgotten. What a wonderful and inspiring place full of antiquities, art, greenery and beautiful architecture!

Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek was founded by Carl Jacobsen (1842-1914), the son of the founder of the Carlsberg Breweries. Glyptoteket was built to house the private collection of Carl Jacobsen which he donated to the Danish State and the City of Copenhagen.

The museum’s collection consists primarily of antique sculpture from Egypt, Rome and Greece, as well as Danish and French art of the 19th century. Over 10,000 works of art and archaeological objects offer a visitor an unforgettable voyage through 6,000 years of culture and civilisation.

The main building in a style inspired by the Venetian Renaissance has been open to the public in 1897. Since then, the collection has grown, which lead to adding 2 more buildings to the museum, one in neoclassical and another in modern minimalist style. I like how one can experience both flat-coloured minimal-styled displays and richly decorated interiors under one roof.

I didn’t have time for a cup of coffee, but next time I will check Café Glyptoteket for sure! It seems to be a nice place to relax after exploring the museum’s collections.